"Sony and MS don't understand MMOs"

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 12th October 2009
Comments (11) Stumble
"Sony and MS don't understand MMOs"

"Sony and Microsoft don't understand MMOs," said Cryptic Studios' Craig Zinkievich.

Cryptic Studios' Craig Zinkievich has revealed that upcoming MMO Star Trek Online is pretty much finished, but is being held up by the business side of things. Cryptic has already confirmed a PC release of the MMO for March 2010, but is looking to get a console version of the game out too.

"When it comes to the business, I'll be honest, the business part of bringing MMOs to consoles has been really sticky," Zinkievich told Eurogamer.

"Trying to get Sony, trying to get Microsoft to really understand MMOs; really understand what needs to happen for MMOs, and then figure out all the business aspects of those games, has really been a difficulty for all of the MMO developers."

The one Xbox 360 MMO, Final Fantasy XI, is the exception that proves the rule according to Zinkievich, who said that so many exceptions were made as Microsoft tried to pursue the Final Fantasy market share that it's impossible to consider Star Trek Online following the same route.

"In terms of actually developing the game on the consoles?" asked Zinkievich. "I mean Champions runs on the console right now; Star Trek Online runs on the consoles right now; our engine - the Cryptic Engine - runs on the consoles..But it's that [business] side that I can't speak for."

Cryptic hasn't yet confirmed a console platform for the MMO - but as you can guess, they're definitely pursuing Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Let us know your thoughts on console MMOs in the forums.
Quote rollo 12th October 2009, 11:15
Ms wants a cut of profits it's why ff14 won't be released on 360 as
it stands, I'd expect a ps3 release as Sony doesn't expect such things
Quote CardJoe 12th October 2009, 11:30
All console manufacturers take a cut of the profits - its how they make money on the consoles and, from what I've heard, Sony and MS are fairly matched in their demands, while Nintendo is a bit greedier.
Quote Er-El 12th October 2009, 13:16
Or maybe they don't understand how the console business works.
Quote yakyb 12th October 2009, 15:21
dear god first i've heard of a star trek mmo

i think now would be the time to announce FAIL!!

do you start off as one of the people behind the doors that makes a 'vvvvrrrmmm' noise as people walk close you get a level up after opening the door 100 times also is there just 1000's of people walking around in red tops

kidding aside i do like star trek i just cant envision a MMO around it

ill go look at teh website though
Quote cjoyce1980 12th October 2009, 15:51
Quote:
Originally Posted by rollo
Ms wants a cut of profits it's why ff14 won't be released on 360 as
it stands, I'd expect a ps3 release as Sony doesn't expect such things

I'll rather not have FF14, but an online service that works......! cant seem to get on PSN lately, even after many router/modem reboots and putting my ps3 in the DMZ. I can browse just fine, but PSN just wont work :(
Quote Saivert 12th October 2009, 16:05
Maybe they should go back to selling consoles for extortionate prices then and lower the price on games? I mean in the end it doesn't matter right? At least it would be level with prices of PC hardware (which has come down A LOT too).
Quote rollo 12th October 2009, 16:34
Never had issues with

xbl or psn

Both are wireless

Not a huge fan of either service
Quote Star*Dagger 12th October 2009, 17:00
I think the larger problem is that developers do not understand STAR TREK, including the makers of the last two movies, which were utter disasters to the ST timeline and canon.

I do hope that the game will be as deep and complex as it needs to be to be called Star Trek, putting it on the console though is the kiss of death, totally different audience and the obvious MBA Suit money grab.

Yours in anti-MBA Plasma,
Star*Dagger
Quote TSR2 12th October 2009, 17:15
Quote:
Originally Posted by yakyb

do you start off as one of the people behind the doors that makes a 'vvvvrrrmmm' noise as people walk close you get a level up after opening the door 100 times also is there just 1000's of people walking around in red tops

No, that's the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy game. You only have to annoy 10 people before you level up though. (to a lift?)
Quote Kiytan 12th October 2009, 18:25
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star*Dagger
I think the larger problem is that developers do not understand STAR TREK, including the makers of the last two movies, which were utter disasters to the ST timeline and canon.

I do hope that the game will be as deep and complex as it needs to be to be called Star Trek, putting it on the console though is the kiss of death, totally different audience and the obvious MBA Suit money grab.

Yours in anti-MBA Plasma,
Star*Dagger


I don't know, I enjoy star trek, but it is mostly just Deus ex tech. I also thought the latest star trek film was pretty damned good. (there again DS9 was my favourite series - so I seem to be at odds with most star trek fans ;))

I've played champions online with a controller, and the combat works great, as does moving about, but trying to hand in quests, and navigate menus, crafting e.t.c was really really difficult. I doubt they could do much to improve that either
Quote LordPyrinc 13th October 2009, 01:49
I liked "Nemesis", haven't seen the newest movie yet. I think an MMO would be a little difficult to tackle though. Would players start out in the academy and slowly work their way up through the ranks to become captain of a frigate? Then if they continue to do well over time, they might actually captain a galaxy class vessel? Sounds like a slow progression to me. I don't think a player should be able to start outright as a captain of a starfleet vessel.
Log in

You are not logged in, please login with your forum account below. If you don't already have an account please register to start contributing.







Mobile Phones

LG Arena ReviewHTC Magic Review

Compare over 250 mobile phones &
52,000 deals!



Broadband

Mobile Broadband

Compare over 100 broadband & mobile broadband deals online!

Dragonage